Question

Fill in the blank with a suitable article:
I saw _____________ bears in Yellowstone National Park.
a) A
b) An
c) The
d) No article

Answer 1

Hint:In the above question ‘bears’ is a plural countable noun which is used in a general sense. ‘The’ is used to describe a specific noun, whereas ‘a/ an’ is used to describe a more general noun. For this reason, they are also referred to as a definite article and indefinite article respectively.

Complete answer:
 Let us understand that in the above context we have a plural countable noun, i.e. ‘bears’ that are living in Yellowstone National Park.
Now, a countable noun always takes either the indefinite, i.e. ‘a/ an’ or definite, i.e. ‘the’ article when it is singular.
Now, when it is in the plural form, it takes the definite article if (and when) it refers to a definite, specific group and no article if it is used in a general sense.
Now, in the above question ‘bears’ is a plural countable noun which is used in a general sense. Therefore, we will use ‘no article’.
The above explanation concludes that the correct solution would be option (d), which is – no article. This completes the sentence as – ‘I saw bears in Yellowstone National Park’.
Since we are not using any article (because the statement given above is in plural countable noun used in a general sense) therefore, the other options are incorrect.

Note:
 Now, a countable noun always takes either the indefinite, i.e. ‘a/ an’ or definite, i.e. ‘the’ article when it is singular and when it is in the plural form, it takes the definite article if (and when) it refers to a definite, specific group and no article if it is used in a general sense.